Arsenal go on at Rovers' expense
Tuesday, 18 Dec 2007 22:46
Arsene Wenger saw his youngsters prevail in a testing quarter-final
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Arsenal progressed to the last four of the Carling Cup after a gruelling 3-2 extra-time win over Blackburn at Ewood Park.
Arsene Wenger maintained his policy of using the competition to blood his youngsters with a completely-changed starting lineup from the one that faced
Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Frenchman seemed to be vindicated as his side withstood the hosts' energetic start to emerge with a 2-0 lead on the half-hour mark.
Abou Diaby netted the Gunners' first after seven minutes as he directed a looping shot over Brad Friedel from Nicklas Bendtner's deep cross.
Struggling Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva took the chance to build his confidence with a predatory finish after a through ball from Denilson escaped defender Christopher Samba.
Aside from some bright moments from ex-Arsenal winger David Bentley, Rovers rarely looked like finding a way back until the game until they pulled back a goal on the stroke of half time.
Matt Derbyshire appeared a yard offside but play was allowed to continue and his cross found the inrushing Roque Santa Cruz to give the home fans hope.
The Paraguayan striker was at the heart of all Blackburn's best play and just before the hour his header made it all square.
After a weekend hat-trick against Wigan, the rangy frontman continued his rich vein of form as a smart header from Bentley's cross proved too good for Lukasz Fabianski.
He could have cemented his hero status by winning the game late in normal time but his composure escaped him over an 85th-minute half-chance.
As it was extra time's imminent arrival was marked by controversy with midfielder Denilson dismissed after clattering into David Dunn with a late challenge.
A determined opening to extra time from Arsenal saw Eduardo da Silva slot home after 13 minutes from a delicate pass from Alexander Song.
With the visitors a man down and tiring, Mark Hughes' side threw men forward in search of a leveller but Benni McCarthy's fluffed finish and a header off the post from Samba proved as close as they would come.